Citizens Advice Volunteer Retires After 30 Years

Published on: 14 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 14 Jan, 2019

Maire Young, one of the most experienced helpers in Citizens Advice Guildford, has retired after 30 years volunteering.

Maire Young retired after 30 years volunteering with Citizens Advice. Tributes to Maire were led by fellow volunteer Chris How (left) and the Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons (right).

During her years with the charity, Maire served as an advisor, a trainer of more than 100 new volunteers and, most recently, a volunteer assistant advice supervisor.

In the early 1990s she undertook regular visits to the former Brookwood Hospital, to run a weekly advice session. She also ran advice sessions for offenders for the Probation Service and as well as providing an advice service for people with mental health issues at Guildford’s Canterbury Care Centre.

Maire received the coveted Volunteer of the Year award from national Citizens Advice 20 years ago, presented by Princess Anne at a ceremony in the Barbican, London.

Speaking at the charity’s annual meeting last month in the Guildhall, fellow volunteer Chris How, who worked with Maire for many years, paid tribute to her knowledge, intelligence, reliability, commitment and dedication.

The Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons, who is promoting volunteering this year, also attended the event.

Citizens Advice Guildford, the independent local charity which exists to help people overcome their problems and to campaign on big issues when their voices need to be heard, is looking for more volunteers. They will join the existing team of 50 who, supported by a small paid staff team, meet on average over 3,300 clients a year at their office in Haydon Place.

It is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to people in the local community with full training and support and as part of a friendly team.

For more information about the roles available or to make a donation visit www.guildfordcab.org.uk/get-involved.